We are the state of Iowa's Parent Training and Information Center for families of children with disabilities.
We are a family-focused nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and their family members. Access for Special Kids (ASK) Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the state of Iowa's Parent Training and Information Center for families of children and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs. ASK provides training, information, advocacy, and support at no cost for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the people who serve them. We are funded by various federal, state, and local grants, as well as corporate and private donations. To ensure the privacy of the families we serve, ASK does not provide one-on-one assistance or support directly through Facebook. If you are in need of assistance, please call us at (800) 450-8667 or submit a contact request on our website at http://askresource.org/contact. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
11/06/2025
The ACHIEVE Family Portal is a helpful data management system in Iowa that makes it easy to create and keep track of your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students aged 3-21 years. With the ACHIEVE Family Portal, you can connect with and access your child's IEP and important documents anytime and from any device. The Iowa Department of Education has created an information sheet to help you get started!
Having trouble accessing the portal? Reach out to the ACHIEVE Family Portal Support Center.
11/06/2025
Did you miss our webinar on FAPE? 🚗📚
You can still watch it anytime!
Join ASK Resource Center’s engaging webinar as if you are on a journey down the road to school. We talk about ensuring that the right vehicle is designed to fit a learner’s unique needs and that the right people are on board — with the destination being growth and development for every learner.
This webinar is designed to deepen your understanding of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Participants will learn what FAPE stands for, identify the essential features of the term “appropriate,” and apply this knowledge to real-life scenarios. Perfect for parents, educators, and stakeholders committed to supporting every learner’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education.
The ACHIEVE Family Portal is a helpful data management system in Iowa that makes it easy to create and keep track of your child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for little ones aged birth to three years. With the ACHIEVE Family Portal, you can connect with and access your child's IFSP and important documents anytime and from any device. The Iowa Department of Education has created an information sheet to help you get started!
Having trouble accessing the portal? Reach out to the ACHIEVE Family Portal Support Center.
We’ve kicked off our first few webinars of the year — and all upcoming sessions are already scheduled out and ready to go! We’re excited to bring families, educators, and professionals valuable information all season long.
Our first webinar focused on the ACHIEVE Family Portal — a helpful online tool for Iowa parents and caregivers that makes it easy to access your child’s IFSP or IEP anytime, from any device. The portal also helps track progress as new data is added.
Watch Shannon, Lisa, and Nancy from the Iowa Department of Education share tips on how to make the most of the portal and navigate it with confidence!
This session focuses on “Appropriate Evaluation” in special education — and it is such an important one.
You’ll learn:
• how the evaluation process actually works
• why decisions in special education must be based on accurate data (not assumptions)
• how IDEA protects students by requiring evaluations that are fair, complete, and non-discriminatory
This is a great resource for families and educators who want to truly understand WHY this step matters + how it impacts services, supports, placement, and advocacy.
Feel free to share with anyone who would benefit! 💛
Have you ever wondered how schools decide if a student needs special education? Join ASK Resource Center for the second session of the 6 Principles of IDEA W...
11/04/2025
🌟 Parenting a child with disabilities or special health care needs can feel isolating — but you don’t have to do it alone.
ASK Resource Center hosts ASK Each Other In-Person Support Groups across Iowa — a space where parents + caregivers can connect, share experiences, and support one another in a judgment-free, understanding environment.
No registration required. Just show up, be yourself, and be welcomed.
🧡 What you can expect:
• Real conversations
• Peer support from others who get it
• Encouragement + ideas you can actually use
• Family Support Specialists there for guidance and resource questions
Because when we support each other — we all grow stronger. 💛
11/04/2025
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month 💜
Join the Iowa Seizure Smart Conference on Saturday, November 15 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Conference Center in Ankeny.
Learn more about epilepsy, seizure first aid, and community resources that support individuals and families affected by seizures.
A strong Transition IEP (Individualized Education Program) sets the foundation for student success after high school. Here’s how the process works:
1️⃣ Assessment: The team begins by assessing the student’s strengths and needs in three key areas — Living, Learning, and Working.
2️⃣ Post-Secondary Expectations: Clear expectations are established for what the student wants to achieve after high school.
3️⃣ Identify Gaps: The team looks at the gaps between the student’s current skills and the skills they’ll need to succeed in their post-secondary education (PSE), employment, and independent living.
➡️ From there, goals, services, courses, supports, and activities are developed to bridge those gaps and prepare the student for their future.
💡 Transition planning is a collaborative process that empowers students to reach their post-school dreams.
There are eight domains in the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices (RPs): Assessment, Environment, Instruction, Interaction, Leadership, Family, Teaming, and Transition.
Family practices refer to ongoing activities that:
1) promote the active participation of families in decision-making related to their child;
2) lead to the development of a service plan; or,
3) support families in achieving the goals they hold for their child and the other family members.
Continue following us as we walk through each RP and show you examples in practice.
11/04/2025
📣 Don’t forget to register!
Our next ASK an Expert webinar is coming up soon, and this one is all about IEPs! Whether you are new to the process or you’ve been through several IEP meetings, this session will help you better understand the components, purpose, and power of an Individualized Education Program.
Make sure you save your spot — and share with other families, caregivers, educators, and professionals who could benefit from this session.
11/04/2025
Does your child need special meals at school? 🍎🥦 Schools must accommodate dietary needs with proper documentation. Let’s make lunchtime inclusive for every student!
Join us for our ASK Each Other Virtual Support Group from 12:00pm – 1:00pm (CT). This is a safe, supportive space for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences, and talk through challenges and wins together.
If you haven’t registered yet — there’s still time to pop in!
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ASK Resource Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Empowering Iowa families of individuals with disabilities
ASK Resource Center is a statewide organization that has served families of children and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs across Iowa for over 20 years.
We provide statewide training, information, advocacy and 1-on-1 support at no cost for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the people who serve them.
We are a truly family-driven, family-focused organization because every member of ASK’s staff team and Board of Directors is either an individual with a disability, or a parent or sibling of an individual with a disability.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by various federal, state, and local grants, as well as corporate and private donations. Consider a donation to help us continue working toward our vision of ACCESS, EMPOWERMENT AND ACCEPTANCE FOR ALL.
ASK Resource Center is not a legal services agency and cannot provide legal advice or legal representation. Any information contained in this message is not intended as legal advice and should not be used as a substitution for legal advice.
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